An Easy Chicken Paillard That Will Elevate Your Weeknight

Bonjour! It’s Friday, Frenchy Friday, and I have a new recipe for you. Inspired by Café Charlot in Paris, as soon as I saw this Instagram post, of their Paillard de Poulet mariné au citron, I knew I had to make my own version of it. In fact, I’ve become kind of obsessed with Café Charlot. So many things on their menu I want to try. For now I’ll have to settle for making at home, chez Barton. Chicken Paillard is an easy, quick, healthy dish that also looks so gourmet. A simple a la Français way to cook chicken. This paillard is marinated in bright lemony flavor. To make it my own, I created a Pistachio Pesto Vinaigrette to serve with and it makes this dish amazing and absolutely delicious. It would be over-the-top avec les frites. This is an easy Chicken Paillard that will elevate your weeknight.

What is Paillard?

Chicken Paillard is an easy to make dish that is perfect for a weeknight but also beautiful enough for a special dinner. In French cafes it’s usually served with a simple sauce and topped with fresh greens, like arugula at Cafe Charlot. Paillard is a term that means to pound meat into thin slices. It’s a chicken breast that is pounded thin and cooked quickly in a pan on the stove, or grilled. A simple French method of cooking chicken. A very healthy French dish too.

Chicken Paillard with Pistachio Pesto Vinaigrette

Use freshly made pesto with this recipe, store bought doesn’t even come close. I love pesto, pesto all summer long! I like the peppery addition of arugula but I’ve used a spring greens mix too. This is so good if you reserve pistachios for garnishing. Add shaved parmesan and this dish is perfection.

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5 from 2 votes

Chicken Paillard with Pistachio Pesto Vinaigrette

A simple, elegant dish that can be made for an easy weeknight dinner or a special occasion. This recipe was inspired by the Poulet Paillard at Cafe Charlot in Paris. Pounding the chicken into thin cutlets makes it tender and luscious. Have your vinaigrette ready before you cook the chicken, it cooks quickly! The pesto vinaigrette tossed greens with the zesty chicken is perfection on a plate. What would make it more perfect? A side of frites, s'il vous plaît.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time7 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: French

Keyword: healthy, paillard, pesto vinaigrette, quick, simple

Servings: 2

Calories: 550kcal

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts organic & free-range for the best flavor
• 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice from one lemon
• lemon zest **from one juiced lemon
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 2 cups arugula or fresh greens
• 2 tbsp pistachios roughly chopped
• shaved parmesan

Pistachio Pesto Vinaigrette

• ⅓ cup pistachio pesto *see link below or your own pesto
• 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• salt and pepper

Instructions

• Place one chicken breast between two sheets of parchment and using the flat side of a meat mallet or rolling pin, flatten to about ¼ inch thickness. Repeat with other breast.
• For marinade: in a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
• Toss the chicken with the marinade and marinate 30 minutes.
• Heat a skillet or grill pan to medium-high.
• Add olive oil to skillet or brush on grill pan and cook chicken 3-4 minutes a side, I did 3 minutes first side, 4 minutes other side and it was perfect.
• Toss salad greens generously with vinaigrette, you will have extra, reserve for a delicious salad dressing later.
• Plate each chicken cutlet, top with salad. Top salad with parmesan shavings and pistachios. Plan on making again every week, it's that good.

Pistachio Pesto Vinaigrette

• While chicken is marinating, make the vinaigrette. Mix together pesto and lemon juice in a bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

*  Pistachio Pesto recipe here.

** I found it easier to zest the lemon after I juiced it, you do you 😉

Calories:  420     Protein:  41g     Carbs:  4g     Fat:  26g

Santé and à bientôt!